FG To Subsidise Cost Of Poultry Feed-Association

The Poultry Association, Ikorodu chapter in Lagos State, has urged the Federal Government to subsidise the cost of poultry feeds to make the products more affordable for Nigerians.

 

The association’s Chairman, Mr Olaoye Ayodeji, made the call on Sunday in Ikorodu, Lagos.

 

Ayodeji said that subsidising poultry feeds should be a cardinal concern of the Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for better life for Nigerians.

 

He, however, said that insecurity, high cost of feeds and interest rate from banks in the country were huge challenges that had discouraged many farmers.

 

He said the challenges had forced many people to disengage from agriculture and poultry farming.

 

The association’s chairman said the agricultural revolution of the Federal Government would become more meaningful if Nigerians began to feel the impact through reduced prices of food stuff and poultry.

 

“Insecurity is a major cause of high cost of feeds because farmers no longer cultivate the farms as they always run for safety.

 

“Maize that is the major component of bird feeds, mostly planted in the north, is no longer available in the market due to insecurity,” he said.

 

He enjoined members to be abreast of modern farming techniques and new ways of tackling biosecurity which, he said, had also been a major challenge faced by poultry farm owners in the country.

 

He said their plan was to partner with government at all levels in revamping poultry business in the country.

 

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Ikorodu Local Council, Mr Wasiu Adesina, has promised to partner with the association in ensuring smooth poultry business and production of more food in the area.

 

Adesina said the council would also invest in the Agric sector to generate more employment for the teeming youths in the community.

 

He promised to sponsor no fewer than 50 youths on foreign training in agricultural programmes in different countries as part of his administration’s commitment to the sector.

 

He said the council had sensitised residents and landowners on engaging in home grown agriculture practice to boost food security and also encouraged indigenous farmers to preserve their land for agricultural purposes.

 

“It is very important to partner the poultry farmers to ease means of doing business and productivity.

 

“Agriculture is a very important sector in any country, without agriculture, no country of the world can survive.

 

“On our part, my administration will sponsor some youths on foreign training in agriculture who will, in turn, train others for more participation and self-reliance.

 

“These are some, out of the many supports, the council is giving to encourage farmers,” Adesina said.

 

 

 

 

 

NAN/Oyenike Oyeniyi